how do i get readers - Page 2 - Writers Forum

The Backward OX · 01-28-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faustling

While I don't submit (or honestly even comment much) myself,

? ? ?

panicnight26 · 01-28-2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Certain people have other ways of drawing friendly fire. Or, as my old granny used to say, "All publicity's good publicity".

touche

panicnight26 · 01-28-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lora

I'm not naive to the fact that I 'm new, and I am not even upset about the lack of attention. It just threw me a little when people were not even returning the favor. It's like being a freshman in highschool all over again.

I happen to be a freshman at highschool right now. lol, this isn't so new to me

lin · 01-28-2008, 09:37 AM

Try posting with a provocative thread title, formatting with doublespace between paragraphs, and keeping it short. And weeding out the really obvious typos and RUN SPELLCHECK, even, before posting it.

I'll tell you what keeps me from reading on this site. First sentence after first sentence that is so obviously amateurish and ill-thought-out that I don't get to the second sentences.

HippoHead · 01-28-2008, 12:07 PM

i comment on quite a few people's stuff but i can't directly comment back on someone who's commented mine - which i'd like to do - i just don't know how.
and translating stuff from word onto here is a pain as it doesnt save the indentations in a paragraph. my stuff is LOOOOONG so i don't want to have to put a space through everything AGAIN. means my writing gets berry difficult to read and danting - meaning no comments!
there's no point to this. just going for a rant.

dponlyme · 02-27-2008, 06:02 PM

I commented on a story and pm'd someone else who did and asked if they would look at mine and it worked. Once I got the first critique that kind of got the ball rolling and now I have three (two unsolicited). I think people like to see what others have said about a piece and if you have 0 replies it makes it less appealing. My daddy always told me "You don't get what you don't ask for" and I think this applies. There is so much out there and so little time in our 'hurry up and hurry up' world that you may have to get things rolling yourself. Do it nicely and if you don't get it ask someone else. All they can do is say no. Be patient and persistent and I think you will get what you are looking for.

A-L · 02-27-2008, 06:37 PM

Quite so.

Olly Buckle · 03-01-2008, 07:58 AM

In terms of being read it is not just the critiques, one should also take account of the views. There are always far more guests than members on line, some of them must come here looking for a read rather than just being lurkers in the threads.

Baron · 03-01-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

In terms of being read it is not just the critiques, one should also take account of the views. There are always far more guests than members on line, some of them must come here looking for a read rather than just being lurkers in the threads.

A high percentage of them are just search engine bots, Olly.

sam_kempton · 03-01-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

I'll tell you what keeps me from reading on this site. First sentence after first sentence that is so obviously amateurish and ill-thought-out that I don't get to the second sentences.

But Lin, surely if you corrected these atrocities there would be more high standard work for you to read and crit. Not all of us are well respected pro's, the un-experienced need to be taught in order to improve, wouldn't you agree. Sorry mate I just had to drop by and play.

As for the original post, my advice is to keep commenting on other members work, get friendly with other members and keep posting.
Thats not to say that you should flood the forum with page after page of shite ramblings, do your own editing as well as you can and then post.
My writing is far from perfect but i do have a few people that read my stuff because i allways crit theirs.

lin · 03-01-2008, 11:28 AM

Well, I looked at your profile but couldn't find your stories.

So I'll say this: without looking at yours I'd say two reasons that people get no feedback is that their stuff is just too much of a disaster to make it worth commenting on. What do you say to somebody who's hopeless?

Another reason would be something that doesn't compute. Is just sort of too 'out of the box" or "none of the above" to figure out.

Another: the first few lines don't do anything for the reader, so they drop it and move on.

I've seen people's first posts here draw extensive commentary.

Baron · 03-01-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Well, I looked at your profile but couldn't find your stories.

So I'll say this: without looking at yours I'd say two reasons that people get no feedback is that their stuff is just too much of a disaster to make it worth commenting on. What do you say to somebody who's hopeless?

Another reason would be something that doesn't compute. Is just sort of too 'out of the box" or "none of the above" to figure out.

Another: the first few lines don't do anything for the reader, so they drop it and move on.

I've seen people's first posts here draw extensive commentary.

You having some trouble with your math? What was that about not posting after smoking a bowl?

sam_kempton · 03-01-2008, 11:40 AM

It's been a while since i posted a story i guess, dont look into my older stuff to deeply because it awfull.
But it only improved when a few, more experienced writers told me it was crap and needed to be improved.
I was not looking to start an argument Lin, i mearly wanted to point out the fact we all have to start somewhere. No-one becomes a good writer over night.

Olly Buckle · 03-02-2008, 01:21 AM

True Sam, and I do try, but sometimes I am like Lin. I look at something and I can't decide what to tear up first and then think "No, I just don't want to be that nasty today" and move on to someone else, especially if it is an early post. The other thing that happens is I see they are 14 and posted twice so I handle it delicately and then the next person on is someone like Pete C. I try.
Completely off subject, that reminds me of the story my teacher father used to tell.
Johnny comes home from school with a report saying "trying" so father gives him five bob (ok . a dollar)
Next term he brings home a report saying "still trying" another dollar.
Next term the report says "still very trying".

The Backward OX · 03-02-2008, 01:37 AM

As that young Devonian would say - "Har Har Har"

My school reports always said "won't try".